admin
SoutjLovemore Chazingwa
Herald Correspondent
The raging war in the Gaza Strip, drenched in criticism on the scale of genocide, resulted in South Africa’s House of Assembly unequivocally calling for the expulsion of Ambassador Eliav Belotserkovsky, coupled with the imminent closure of the embassy until specified conditions are met by the belligerent state.
A poll conducted Tuesday in parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the decision to relieve Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Belotserkovsky of his duties and shut down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.
The poll, which was held in two divisions, denounced Israeli actions, atrocities and its apartheid character.
Influential pressure group, SA Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Coalition (SA BDS), said in a brazen statement that it is adding its weight to the bold move by parliament.
“We urge our government to act swiftly to implement the resolution of the National Assembly, and ensure that the apartheid ambassador (Belotserkovsky) will not return to our country.”
Adding: “There is no role for diplomacy with a settler-colonial apartheid state that is guilty of genocide against a population that it occupies. SA should not be having relations with a state that perpetrates war crimes with impunity and treats the UN, international law and rest of the world with utter disdain.”
According to the coalition statement, “The SA cabinet publicly rebuked the apartheid ambassador for his misbehaviour.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO), demarched him for insulting the government and people of SA.
Group co-ordinator, Roshan Dadoo said his grouping “welcomes the resolution by parliament, as representatives of the people of SA, to call on the government to shut down the apartheid Israeli embassy in SA. We echo parliament’s call and hope that our government will act expeditiously to give effect to the resolution.”
The gallant coalition called for a lasting ceasefire and the provision of basic needs to the tormented people of Gaza.
“We also call for an immediate ceasefire and for the urgent provision of water, food, medicine, fuel and other essential humanitarian aid to the terrorized people of Gaza.”
In the same vein, SA BDS is lobbying for stringent measures against Israel in other spheres of life to effect their demands.
“Furthermore, we call upon our government to implement policies for a sports, cultural and academic boycott. A trade embargo against Israel is viewed as the logical next step after the severing of diplomatic ties.
Also proposed is the arrest and prosecution of South Africans who support the occupation forces, charged with guilty of war crimes.
“In the context of Israel’s war crimes, we call on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to expedite cases of South Africans who join with the occupation forces, thus also being guilty of war crimes in contravention of the Mercenaries Act.”
Palestine stands its ground on self-determination, self-rule and emancipation from occupation by Israeli forces. It is determined to be a free Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its proposed capital.
Online Reporter